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The Sound Of Silence
a week ago
I switched on my work computer last night, and while it powered up, it did not boot up. The icon of the "can" on the front did not flicker, there were no happy little chirpy sounds issuing from it, and the monitor stayed asleep; only the fan could be heard.
I tried turning it off and back on several times, both with the button and with the power strip, but nothing changed.
This was not good.
Today we took it to the computer shop to be diagnosed, because I know ab-so-freaking-lootley NOTHING about how computers work. The technician saw it was a Vista box and started to say "You need to buy a new computer because Windows 11--"
"It's not hooked up to the Internet," I cut him off. "It's just an art computer running Photoshop."
"Oh. Game on, then..."
I had accidentally bumped it hard with the plastic pad under the chair when I slid it back into position. It had worked in the morning, but not in the evening. I wonder if I'd jarred something.
I mean, yes, it's old. No, I haven't backed up the data in five years. Yes, I am probably screwed.
So this is to give a heads-up that next week's strips will probably be late. Or I may be forced into a temporary hiatus, because I can't color anything without that computer and its PSD files.
I tried turning it off and back on several times, both with the button and with the power strip, but nothing changed.
This was not good.
Today we took it to the computer shop to be diagnosed, because I know ab-so-freaking-lootley NOTHING about how computers work. The technician saw it was a Vista box and started to say "You need to buy a new computer because Windows 11--"
"It's not hooked up to the Internet," I cut him off. "It's just an art computer running Photoshop."
"Oh. Game on, then..."
I had accidentally bumped it hard with the plastic pad under the chair when I slid it back into position. It had worked in the morning, but not in the evening. I wonder if I'd jarred something.
I mean, yes, it's old. No, I haven't backed up the data in five years. Yes, I am probably screwed.
So this is to give a heads-up that next week's strips will probably be late. Or I may be forced into a temporary hiatus, because I can't color anything without that computer and its PSD files.
"Ah, I think I've identified your problem."
But seriously (heads up because here comes my hardware rant) it sounds like either one of two things happened. Good news is something might've just got confuddled out of place inside that mass of a box. Worst case scenario, something broke. Hopefully it's recoverable. Good luck. (crosses every digit I have possible)
All seven gigabytes of them...
Yes, back up to an external hard drive. This comes with a 'however'. However, if you can back it up to DVD all the better because those don't corrupt. You will note that new laptops do NOT come with a DVD drive. Thumb drives are now up to X amount of gigs, and they are small so you can carry one in your wallet.
I have a two terabit external that I use, but - it corrupted. I was able to reformat the darned thing and re-load it, but I am forever fearful.
Vix
The shop called, said the computer is up and running again. Turns out the RAM needed to be re-seated (so maybe that hard bump to the case WAS the culprit!). The tech cleaned out the box, deleted AVG which was outdated and causing problems, and got rid of a few malware issues that were lurking in the background.
So my husband is going to pick it up on his way home from work, and I should be back in business! :D
Thank God! I was terrified I'd lose the data, and/or need to buy a new machine. This is not a good time for us to be spending hundreds of dollars--my husband's car is getting its head gaskets replaced, winter is coming with feed bills for the sheep, and I just don't need the extra expense.
Of course, if I DON'T buy a new computer, I can't create the comic strip, and I'd lose my Patreon support, which we count on to help us through each month and try to save a little.
We tried, and it didn't work. His settings in Photoshop are very different than mine. His files are much larger and consume a lot of space. We had trouble on weekends when he needed to work on his comic, so I had to go find something else to do. It was just...awkward.
Plus, he now draws on a tablet, and so there's no scanner hooked up to this machine. I don't think my scanner will connect to it, either, due to an age issue. So I can't scan comics onto this computer.
is that one of those obvious things people know exept one and they are surprised? cause i'm surprised.
Have a link!
https://www.hirezfox.com/21cf/index.html
huh... i had forgoten.
Vix